I'm using CS4 (ancient, I know) and I'm trying to export a file to PDF for our printer. One of the display fonts I used "could not be embedded due to licensing restrictions in the font." I also want to ensure the word art doesn't do anything funky on the printer's end. So I'd like to convert the display text to outlines.

The text is in several rows, with a linear gradient from top to bottom. When I convert the text to outlines, the gradient ceases to fill the full group of text and instead is applied to each row.

I've tried selecting the text before converting to outlines and selecting the text frame before converting. I've tried grouping items or not grouping. Messing with the gradient. I'm stuck. The option to make compound paths is grayed out, but it seems like that's irrelevant from other discussions I've read on the topic.

I admit I am self-taught InDesign; you might call me an amateur, so it's possible I'm doing this completely wrong.

Would appreciate any help. If I can't find another solution I might try making the text art in Illustrator and then placing it as an image into the file, unless there's a better way.

Gotcha; thanks Bob & Peter. I suppose I was thinking the license prohibited one from embedding the actual font files, but not from printing a design using the font, like a poster (otherwise, what's the point of having the font?). I appreciate the advice!

You should, of course, read the license agreement to see exactly what IS allowed. That said, you may have a font that is licensed for personal use only, or something similar. An embedding restriction may or may not be accompanied by a restriction (but usually is) against providing the font to a service bureau for output. These restrictions do not prevent you from printing your files yourself.

As far as I'm concerned, however, and I think Bob, and most other users here, will agree, if a font is restricted against embedding in a PDF it isn't worth using.